Rochester – This afternoon, at approximately 1:20 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, and the Rochester Police Department responded to a two vehicle crash at U.S. 31 and Olson Road, which critically injured two people.

A preliminary crash investigation by Master Trooper Randy Shaver revealed that Sheyleena Parker, 22, Rochester, IN, was driving a 1990 Chrysler New Yorker eastbound on Olson Road. Parker stopped for a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. 31. Parker then continued eastbound across U.S. 31. The Chrysler crossed the southbound lanes, but allegedly failed to yield in the median crossover, and continued to drive across the northbound lanes. The Chrysler was struck in the passenger side by a northbound 2000 International semi-tractor. The semi-tractor, driven by Michael Jacobson, 54, Plymouth, IN, was pulling a dump trailer loaded with gravel. Jacobson was driving for Stockberger Trucking based in Plymouth, IN.

Parker was transported by ambulance to Woodlawn Hospital in Rochester. She was later transferred to Memorial Hospital in South Bend to be treated for life threatening injuries. Ernest Parker IV, 17 months, Rochester, IN, a passenger in the Chrysler, was flown by Samaritan Helicopter to Parkview Hospital in Ft. Wayne. He is being treated for life threatening head injuries. Jacobson was not injured.

Sheyleena Parker and Jacobson were wearing seat belts. Ernest Parker IV was properly secured in a child safety seat. Master Trooper Shaver believes that the Parkers’ use of the seat belt and the child safety seat reduced the severity of their injuries; however, the crash impact was too severe to keep their injuries from being life threatening.

The crash investigation is ongoing. At this time neither the use of alcohol nor narcotics is suspected as having contributed to this crash.

The northbound lanes of U.S. 31 were closed for approximately two hours during the crash investigation and debris cleanup.

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